Emotional dysfunction in schizophrenia spectrum psychosis: the role of illness perceptions

Watson, P. W. B., Garety, P. A., Weinman, J., Dunn, G., Bebbington, P. E., Fowler, D., Freeman, D. and Kuipers, E. (2006) Emotional dysfunction in schizophrenia spectrum psychosis: the role of illness perceptions. Psychological Medicine, 36 (6). pp. 761-770. ISSN 1469-8978

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Abstract

Background. Assessing illness perceptions has been useful in a range of medical disorders. This study of people with a recent relapse of their psychosis examines the relationship between illness perception, their emotional responses and their attitudes to medication. Method. One hundred patients diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder were assessed within 3 months of relapse. Measures included insight, self-reported illness perceptions, medication adherence, depression, self-esteem and anxiety. Results. Illness perceptions about psychosis explained 46, 36 and 34% of the variance in depression, anxiety and self-esteem respectively. However, self-reported medication adherence was more strongly associated with a measure of insight. Conclusions. Negative illness perceptions in psychosis are clearly related to depression, anxiety and self-esteem. These in turn have been linked to symptom maintenance and recurrence. Clinical interventions that foster appraisals of recovery rather than of chronicity and severity may therefore improve emotional well-being in people with psychosis. It might be better to address adherence to medication through direct attempts at helping them understand their need for treatment.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Psychological Sciences (former - to 2018)
Depositing User: EPrints Services
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2010 11:11
Last Modified: 24 Oct 2022 02:05
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/13914
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291706007458

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